A 22-year-old Blackburn man with a desperate alcohol problem stole four gold rings worth £1,300 from his dad and pawned them to raise money for drink.

And Blackburn magistrates heard that Jason Howard desperately needed help with his problem which was now a medical one.

Howard, of Addison Close, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, being drunk and disorderly and theft of the rings. He was remanded on bail for reports with a condition that he lives at the bail hostel in Accrington.

Claire Fanning, prosecuting, said police were called by Howard's father who said his son was drunk and causing a disturbance. Howard was arrested after a struggle and as officers tried to put him in a vehicle he put his feet against the car and thrust backwards, butting an officer in the face.

On another occasion Howard's father discovered the rings, which he kept hidden in a wardrobe, had gone missing. They were traced to two pawn shops.

The drunk and disorderly offence had taken place in the accident and emergency department at Blackburn Royal Infirmary where Howard was abusive to members of staff and turned on officers when they asked him to leave.

Stephen Parker, defending, said all Howard's offending was alcohol related.